Tag Archive for 'balance protein fats carbs'

Question: How fast can I expect to lose weight on the Zone Diet and is it a healthy diet to follow?

Answer: The Zone Diet is a safe and healthy diet, and it works well because it forces you to follow a balanced and nutritious diet. As is the case with most healthy diets, it will take you a bit longer to lose the weight (say at a rate of about 1-2 pounds or half a kilogram to 1 kilogram per week), but if you learn to live in the Zone permanently, you will be able to keep it off. Zone dieters are expected to eat roughly one gram of fat for every two grams of protein and every three grams of carbohydrates to comply with the magic ratio of 40:30:30 for carbs, protein and fats.

The Zone Diet has a proven track record in helping thousands of men and women lose weight permanently. Other benefits of this weight loss plan include reduced inflammation, increased energy and reduced bad cholesterol levels. The anti-inflammatory nature of the diet also means it can help prevent premature aging. By carefully maintaining the balance between fat, protein and carbohydrate intake, the Zone Diet also helps balance your hormones, speed up your metabolism and control cravings.

The most difficult part of this diet is making sure you get the balance right between protein, carbs and fat with every meal and snack; especially if you prepare all your meals yourself and even more so if you eat out often. Fortunately, help is at hand. If you can afford it, you can pick and choose from ready prepared home delivered meals and commercially available Zone friendly snacks. Many restaurants also offer meals prepared with the magic Zone food ratio in mind. The book on the Zone Diet by Barry Spears, creator of this slimming plan, also offers various tips and tricks to make it easier for you.

In summary. The Zone Diet is designed based on the belief that obesity comes about as a result of inflammation. You are in the “Zone” when your hormones are in balance and where inflammation is reversed. To get into the Zone, you must ensure that your eat Zone friendly meals. Weight loss then, for as long as you follow the diet properly, follows automatically. For a more detailed discussion of this topic see this Review of the Zone Diet.